Insane idea (Score: 2, Interesting) by fnj@pipedot.org on 2014-12-22 19:10 (#2W98) The cloud deck just happens to start at the postulated 50 km, and those clouds are composed of SULPHURIC ACID. How is the structure, necessarily extremely lightweight, going to withstand that kind of environment? There are also very high wind speeds.On the surface, the idea is tantalizing, but even a cursory review of some of the gotchas pretty well relegates it to pure fantasy. Re: Insane idea (Score: 1) by venkman@pipedot.org on 2014-12-23 02:23 (#2W9N) Many plastics are resistant to sulfuric acid and for metals there are coatings and/or passivation techniques to reduce corrosion. Also "lightweight" is relative since the atmosphere is hundreds of times as dense as Earth's. Re: Insane idea (Score: 1) by fnj@pipedot.org on 2014-12-24 07:35 (#2WB4) I guess you COMPLETELY MISSED the point of these aerostats floating at an altitude where the Venus atmosphere is exactly the same as it is at sea level on Earth.
Re: Insane idea (Score: 1) by venkman@pipedot.org on 2014-12-23 02:23 (#2W9N) Many plastics are resistant to sulfuric acid and for metals there are coatings and/or passivation techniques to reduce corrosion. Also "lightweight" is relative since the atmosphere is hundreds of times as dense as Earth's. Re: Insane idea (Score: 1) by fnj@pipedot.org on 2014-12-24 07:35 (#2WB4) I guess you COMPLETELY MISSED the point of these aerostats floating at an altitude where the Venus atmosphere is exactly the same as it is at sea level on Earth.
Re: Insane idea (Score: 1) by fnj@pipedot.org on 2014-12-24 07:35 (#2WB4) I guess you COMPLETELY MISSED the point of these aerostats floating at an altitude where the Venus atmosphere is exactly the same as it is at sea level on Earth.